Machine for softening jute



'(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. GHEYNE.

MACHINE FOR SOFTENING JUTE, HEMP, &c. No. 395,741. g Patented Jan. 8,1889.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. CHEYNE.

MACHINE FOR SOFTENING JUTE, HEMP, Gas.

Patented Jan. 8, 1889.

.wwf /5. 74mm N. PETERS. Pmulhugnphr, Wnhinnm, 5:9.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN CHEYNE, OF PATERSON, NElV JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR SOFTENING JUTE, HEMP, 81,0.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 395,741, dated January8, 1889.

Application filed July '7, 1888. Fierial No. 279,385 (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN '(lI-IEYN E, a citizen of the United States,residing at Paterson, Passaic county, State of New Jersey, have inventeda new and useful Improvement in Machines for Softening Jute, Hemp, &c.,of which the following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

My invention relates to machines for softening jute and hemp.

Usually jute and hemp are taken from the bale and put through thesoftening-machine, being subjected to jets of oil from an oilingapparatus in its passage through the machine to dissolve the gum, andthus soften the fiber.

Then when taken from the machine the fiber is laid in bulk, where itlies for several days and is moistened with a mixture of hot water andoil from a tank, horax. being sometimes added in order to furtherdissolve the gum and render the fiber soft and fit for further use. Thismode of softening jute and hemp is objectionable, for the reason thatthe oil and water in the tank will not mix, owing to a want ofafiinity,thc oi] rising to the surface when the water cools, thus givingpoor-results in the softening of the fiber after the long delaynecessary to complete the operation.

The object of my present invention is to provide means for softeningjute and hemp which shall possess the advantages of the former mode ofsoftening jute and hemp, but which shall be free from itsobjectionablc'fea tures.

\Vith this end in view my invention consists in a water-box havingpipes, &c., which I arrange on the nuiehine, and which willbehereinat'tcr fullydescribed, and pointed outin the claim. 1

Figure 1 of the drawings shows in broken elevation one side of anordinary jute and hemp softening machine with my invention attached.Fig. 2 isatransverse sectional elevation of my invention detached online.1; :r of Fig. 1; and Fig. is an end View of the same on line y 'g ofFig. 2, partly sectional.-

A represents ajute and hemp softening machine of ordinary build, havinthe usual supporting-frame, A, driving-shaft (l, apron-l7,

able position through an inlet or supply pipe,

while the receptacle is provided with an overflow-pipe.

The machine, which is constructed as is usual, need not, it is thought,be further de scribed herein.

I11asuitablepositiou on the machine A, I fix by bolts or otherwise abox, B, into which box I arrange a water-supply pipe, 0, and asteampipe, The water-supply pipe 0 is provided with a valve, D, and a tioat, D, which latter connected with the valve, and is adapted to closethe valve when the box has received a sufficient quantity of water intothe same through the pipe (I and to open the valve for a further supplywhen the supply of water in the box is insufficient for practicalpurposes. The box is also provided with an overflowpipc, L. Thestmun-pipe E, which enters the box at the top of the same, as does thepipe (l, passes down to the bottom of the box and is provided with avalve, FF, and a branch pipe, E, having perlinations E, and is adaptedto issue jets of live steam through the said perforations E to heat thewater in the box 1- and boilthe same. lnthebotimn of thewaterbox 1-), lfix a pipe, F, which pipehas arranged on the top of the same in the boxan enlarged perforatwl part, F, while below the box the said pi po F hasa valvedi, and hand-whceLG, which latter is adaptml to open and closethe valve in the operation of softening the fiber.

' Below the valve (i on the pipe F are a branch pipe, II, and(listril)uting-pipes H ,which latter are adapt ed to distribute theboiling water and steam that pass down through the perforated top part,F, into the pipe F to be distributed in the operation of softening thefiber in the manner hereinafter stated.

The machine being in motion, the jute or rollers c, and oil-chamber g,which latter is 1 hen1p,o, passes on theapron l) to and between therollers c, where the fiber undergoes treatment incident to the shape ofthe rollers c between which it passes and is mashed and is subjected tojets of oil at g from the oil-receptaole g, and while passing on betweenthe rollers after having been oiled, as stated, the fiber is furthersubjected to jets of boiling water and steam from the pipe 1 through thepipes H H and perforations K of the latter, the valve G having beenpreviously opened byturning the wheel G. The fibers to having beensubjected to jets of oil from the oil-receptacle g and to jets ofboiling water and steam from the perforations K, the said jets ofboiling water and steam tend to force a union of the water and oil, andwhich, in connection with the further action of the rollers thereupon,fully dissolves the gum and causes the fiber to leave the machinesoftened and ready for immediate further use. The flow of oil from thechamber 9 is increased orjdiminished according to the feed of fiberfrointhe apron. When the feed is heavy, the roller 0 is raised accordingly,which, by means of link g", elevates lever g and lever g which latterlifts the valve g and permits an increased quantity of oil to pass fromthe chamber at g upon the passing fiber. The opposite will. be the casewhen the feed of fiber is light.

3y my invention the heaps of fiber, tanks, barrels, and other cumbersomethin gs,witl1 the delay of the pre-existing mode of softening jute andhemp, are entirely dispensed with and better results in softening thefibers are secured.

Having described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent The combination, with mechanism for softening the fiberand for supplying oil thereto, of the box B, the pipe C, provided withvalve 1) and float D, the pipes E and E, the latter having perforationsE the pipe F, having perforated enlargement F and valve G, and the pipesH and H, the latter having the perforations K.

J OHN CHEYNE.

\Vitnesses:

JAMES CoNNEL, WILLIAM STEWART.

